Anger, Guided correctly

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I used to wake up angry at the world, whether it was for the way things seemed to be tilted, unfair, backwards, or any identified grievance. That anger would drive my daily interactions with others in an aggressive and abrasive way turning everything into a battle. Each interaction, regardless of who, where, when or what was a battle against an offense, real or contrived. My approach to the world led to numerous conflicts that feed my anger even more, generating more conflicts. And during that time period of my life, win or lose, I channeled all my anger towards whomever I designated as the enemy.

One day, a brother named Justice rolled up beside me. He made the comment, “you think you can beat them all?” I cut my eyes at him responding, “Every one of them that steps up”. He responded, “Yeah, you might be able to one or two. But what happens when they roll on you like a goon squad”. I countered, “I’ll fight harder”. Justice then turned to me and said “I believe you would. But you can’t beat them all. Especially because you aren’t developing your best weapon”. I paused, “what’s that?” Justice, “Your mind. If, you develop your mind you can beat them all”. And he simply walked off.

Justice’s wise point has meant multiple things to me since we shared that short conversation. Though I am still angry, not necessarily at the world. I approach my anger much differently now. I have learned, when you let your anger lead you, it gives others a point of control. They figure out your trigger points and flip you on like a toy sitting back watching you go, using your anger to prove points against you. Even if they can’t determine how your rage will explode or what direction it will take, they still use it against you. In turn you aren’t mastering your most valuable jewels, your heart, mind and spirit.

Ever since that conversation with Justice, I have worked to learn more about my inner self. How to feed my mind, channel my emotions, direct my rage, and tap my inner spirit. I will not say anger is a bad thing. Because there are most definitely things to be angry about. But I will say anger not rightly guided is a foolish waste of energy. So, when I rage. I strive to learn about the things I am angry about. Then I learn how to do something about those things. How to counter, deconstruction and remove those barriers, practices and policies that are “… tilted, unfair, backwards” and unjust.

Some folks just rage aimlessly, in most cases destroying without reason creating more conflict with no clear purpose. I strive to rage with a purpose. To do something about what I believe is so wrong about things. Yes, I do it in a more constructive way now…in a way that I hope in my heart can bring about a positive and constructive change. Still, I have the anger. I am just not letting others control me through it. I channel that anger through my heart, mind, and spirit in hopes of influencing the world around me in a positive manner. It’s still not on the terms that others may deem as they way to go about doing things. But it’s being true and authentic to who I am.

How do you use your anger? Or does anger use you?

Take care,

Shabazz

I share daily messages during the week through an email distribution. You can go here to subscribe; https://socialjusticedeileadership.substack.com/p/anger?sd=pf